Theft suspect shoots self, manager at H-E-B

Suspected west Harris shoplifter wounds manager, self

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office

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The suspect in a shooting at a west Harris County H-E-B on Monday, identified as Joshua Verlander, 20, wounded himself in the arm with his pistol, investigators said. He also wounded one of the store managers. Verlander is charged with aggravated robbery. less

The suspect in a shooting at a west Harris County H-E-B on Monday, identified as Joshua Verlander, 20, wounded himself in the arm with his pistol, investigators said. He also wounded one of the store managers. ... more

Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office

Theft suspect shoots self, manager at H-E-B

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An armed man shot and wounded a store manager and himself after workers at a Harris County supermarket confronted him for stealing groceries Monday night.

The man, identified as Joshua Verlander, 20, wounded himself in the arm with his pistol at the H-E-B at Highway 6 and Keith Harrow about 8 p.m. Monday, investigators said. He also wounded one of the store managers.

Verlander and the wounded manager were taken to nearby hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Verlander is charged with aggravated robbery, according to county records, and is in jail without bond pending a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.

They followed him into the parking lot and tried to stop him. But he punched one of the managers in the face. The other manger grabbed him and the suspect fought him, shooting the manager once in the hand.

As the pair continued to fight, the suspect inadvertently shot himself in the forearm. Then he dropped his gun and fell down.

Sheriff's deputies who had been dispatched to the store after a 911 emergency call arrived soon after the shootings and arrested the suspect.